Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) reports explained

Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) is the system used for grading the quality of agricultural land in England and Wales, with its primary function being to inform decision making about the appropriate sustainable development of land.

The planning system is broadly designed to protect the ‘best and most versatile’ (BMV) agricultural land from significant, inappropriate or unsustainable development proposals. BMV land is classed as Grade 1 (excellent quality), Grade 2 (very good quality) and Grade 3a (good quality).

Although there are ALC maps available indicating the five different land classifications across England and Wales, these offer only general guidance and are not accurate enough for an assessment of individual fields or sites.

This requires a detailed site survey by an experienced soil specialist, working to criteria set down by the Government.

The ALC survey process involves taking bore hole samples and digging soil pits with a typical sample density of one per hectare. This enables the soil type, soil depth, texture and structure to be examined.

The physical survey results are then combined with local climate and site data, following a prescribed set of guidelines, to establish the climatic and agricultural limitations of the site and therefore what grade the land should be.

ALC surveys are most frequently required for planning and development purposes, but they can also be helpful for assessing the land’s suitability for specific crops and have also been used in analysis about land use priorities under different climate change scenarios.

There is growing pressure for the some of the data used in the ALC system to be reviewed as the current version has been in operation since the 1980s.

This would be beneficial as the climatic data used, including annual average rainfall figures, are based on a very historic observation period and given the changing climate may not be representative.

However, until any update is rolled out by the Government, we are obliged to follow the existing government guidelines as the ALC system is the only approved way to grade the quality of land.

We have a number of agricultural consultants in our team who are fully trained with the British Society of Soil Science and are able to deliver in-depth soil surveys and Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) reports. Please get in touch with either Paul Dennison, Gwliym Jenkins or Scott Combes for more information.